Brussels, 19/04/2005 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday, the chairperson of the European Parliament delegation on relations with Iran, German Green member Angelika Beer, drew up a satisfactory report on the first visit by a small group of the delegation (created in October 2004) to Teheran from 15 to 18 April. The delegation met government representatives, the president's advisers, diplomats and NGOs for the civil society in Teheran. The aim of the mission was to resume contact with the Iranian Parliament (Majlis) and pave the way for future cooperation. “At all our meetings we were able to raise all issues without taboo, although we did not always receive answers to our questions. Nonetheless, it was a very positive first step and the atmosphere was good”, Ms Beer told the press. The main “democratic deficits” in Iran were raised at each meeting, especially the problems of freedom of the press, political prisoners, the death penalty (executions are systematically and massively carried out), application of sentences against children, and the role of women. “We were surprised by the very open nature of talks even on these difficult issues”, Ms Beer said, adding: “It is obvious changes have taken place in Iran”.
Government representatives reportedly even announced their intention to resume dialogue with the EU on human rights - a dialogue that had been interrupted by the Iranian authorities in June 2004 further to the general worsening in relations with Teheran on the nuclear issue. According to Ms Beer, resumption of dialogue could even take place before the end of April. On the other hand, negotiations underway between the EU-3 and Teheran on the nuclear option and on the trade and cooperation agreement were not discussed in detail. Ms Beer extended an invitation to the Iranian Parliament to visit the European Parliament in Brussels. “We trust that the Majlis will soon decide to create a delegation for relations with the European Parliament as we feel that regular parliamentary dialogue between the two sides is important for improving EU/Iran relations”, Ms Beer asserted.